84 questions from 16 interviews · updated from reports 2017-2024
About
Genpact is a professional services firm that helps businesses with process management, digital operations, analytics, and technology services. In India, it is known for hiring Software Developers, Software Development Engineers, Technical Consultants, data analysts, and support engineers.
The roles that come up most are Software Developer, Software Development Engineer and Technical Consultant. This covers 16 candidate interviews reported from 2017 to 2024. Most sat it at entry level (12 of 16 that recorded a level), with 3 internship interviews alongside. Among the 13 that recorded either route, arrivals split between campus drives (12, 92%) and off-campus applications (1, 8%). Most questions fall under CS fundamentals and DSA.
Ans. ACID properties are the guarantees that make database transactions reliable: Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability. Atomicity means all or nothing, Consistency keeps valid rules, Isolation prevents concurrent transactions interfering, and Durability ensures committed changes survive crashes. They are essential for correctness in systems handling critical data.
Ans. Select the distinct salaries, sort them in descending order, skip the first row, and return the next one. This gives the second highest unique salary. The key detail is using distinct, otherwise duplicate top salaries can give the wrong result. The database typically uses sorting, so the time cost is about O(n log n).
Ans. Paging is a memory management technique where a process’s virtual address space is split into fixed-size pages, and physical memory is split into same-size frames. The OS maps pages to frames using a page table, allowing non-contiguous allocation. The key benefit is avoiding external fragmentation while supporting virtual memory.
Ans. Exception handling in object-oriented programming is a way to represent and manage runtime errors as objects. Code that may fail is placed in a try block, errors are caught in catch handlers, and cleanup can run in finally. Exceptions can propagate up the call stack, allowing errors to be handled at the right level.
Ans. A strong answer should take a balanced view, using a specific example such as public health messaging, political debate, or youth wellbeing. Emphasise both benefits, like connection and access to information, and risks, like misinformation and polarisation. Interviewers listen for critical thinking, social awareness, evidence, and a measured judgement rather than extremes.
Ans. Traverse the matrix row by row, printing even-indexed rows from left to right and odd-indexed rows from right to left. Use the existing 2D array and only loop variables, so no extra data structure is needed. The time complexity is O(rows × columns), and extra space is O(1).
Ans. A strong answer takes a balanced view: social media is a boon when used responsibly, but a curse when misused. Pick examples from learning, networking, awareness, misinformation, addiction or privacy. Emphasise judgement, self-control and digital responsibility. Interviewers listen for maturity, balance, critical thinking and awareness of real-world impact.
Ans. CPU scheduling algorithms decide which ready process gets the CPU next. Common algorithms include First Come First Served, Shortest Job First, Round Robin, Priority Scheduling and Multilevel Queue. The key trade-off is between throughput, response time, waiting time and fairness, with pre-emptive algorithms allowing the OS to interrupt a running process.
Ans. async and await are JavaScript syntax for working with Promises in a cleaner, more synchronous-looking way. An async function always returns a Promise, and await pauses execution inside that function until the Promise settles. It does not block the main thread, and errors can be handled with try and catch.
Ans. Normal forms are rules for structuring relational tables to reduce duplication and update anomalies. 1NF requires atomic values and no repeating groups. 2NF removes partial dependency on part of a composite key. 3NF removes transitive dependency on non-key columns. BCNF is stricter, requiring every determinant to be a candidate key.
Ans. A copy constructor in C++ creates a new object as a copy of an existing object, usually with the form ClassName(const ClassName& other). The key detail is that classes owning resources, such as dynamic memory or file handles, should define it to perform a deep copy and avoid shared ownership bugs.
Ans. Abstraction is the principle of hiding implementation details and exposing only essential behaviour, while an interface is a specific way to define that exposed behaviour as a contract. The key difference is that abstraction is a design idea, and an interface is a language feature used to apply it.
Ans. Agile is an iterative model that delivers software in small increments, while Waterfall is a sequential model where each phase is completed before the next begins. Agile suits changing requirements and frequent feedback. Waterfall suits stable requirements, clear documentation, and projects where changes are expected to be limited.
Ans. A closure in JavaScript is a function that remembers variables from its outer scope even after that outer function has finished running. For example, an outer function can create a counter variable and return an inner function that increments it. The variable stays private and persists between calls to the inner function.
Ans. Scan the array and return the first element whose frequency is one. Use a hash map to count frequencies in one pass, then scan the array again in original order and pick the first value with count one. This preserves order and runs in O(n) time with O(n) extra space.
Ans. Debouncing and throttling are techniques to control how often a function runs in response to frequent events. Debouncing delays execution until events stop for a set time, such as after typing. Throttling runs at most once in a set interval, such as during scrolling. They improve performance and avoid excessive work.
Ans. Tries are used for fast prefix-based search, such as autocomplete, spell checking, dictionary lookup, word suggestions, contact search, and IP routing. They store strings character by character, so lookup, insertion, deletion, and prefix search take time proportional to the length of the key, not the number of stored words.
Ans. CPU scheduling algorithms decide which ready process gets the CPU next. Common algorithms include First Come First Served, Shortest Job First, Round Robin, Priority Scheduling and Multilevel Queue scheduling. The key detail is the trade-off between throughput, waiting time, response time and fairness, especially for interactive systems where starvation must be avoided.
Ans. A process is an independent running program with its own memory space, while a thread is a smaller unit of execution within a process that shares that process’s memory. Processes are more isolated and cost more to create or switch between. Threads are lighter, but shared memory makes synchronisation and race conditions important.
Ans. Database normalization structures relational tables to reduce duplication and prevent update, insert, and delete anomalies. 1NF uses atomic values, 2NF removes partial dependency on a composite key, 3NF removes transitive dependency on non-key columns, and BCNF requires every determinant to be a candidate key. Higher forms handle multivalued and join dependencies.
Ans. I handle multiple requests by keeping the web tier stateless and running many worker processes or threads behind a load balancer. Each request gets isolated application state, shared data goes through databases or caches, and database connections are pooled. The key detail is to move slow background work to queues so request handlers stay fast.
Ans. MongoDB stores data as documents inside collections, and the documents are stored in BSON, a binary form of JSON. BSON supports JSON-like fields plus extra types such as dates, ObjectIds and binary data. The key detail is that documents can have flexible schemas, including nested objects and arrays.
Ans. The Knapsack problem asks for the maximum value that can fit in a bag of limited capacity, usually choosing each item at most once. Dynamic programming defines dp[i][w] as the best value using the first i items within weight w, taking max of skipping or taking the item. Time is O(nW), space can be O(W).
Ans. Common sorting algorithms include bubble, selection and insertion sort at O(n²), merge sort and heap sort at O(n log n), and quicksort at average O(n log n) but worst O(n²). The key difference is stability and space: merge sort is stable but uses extra space, while heap sort is in place.
Ans. Native objects are defined by the JavaScript language itself, while host objects are supplied by the environment running JavaScript. For example, Array, Object, Date and RegExp are native objects. In a browser, window, document and DOM nodes are host objects; in Node.js, process and some APIs are host-provided.
Ans. Artificial Intelligence is the broad field of making machines perform tasks that seem intelligent, Machine Learning is a subset where systems learn patterns from data, and Deep Learning is a subset of Machine Learning using multi-layer neural networks. The key difference is scope: AI includes rules and search, while ML and DL rely on learned models.
Ans. Add or change a few values to be extreme on one side of the data. The mean is pulled strongly by very large or very small values, while the median depends mainly on the middle position. For example, adding several very large numbers creates right skew and makes the mean much higher than the median.
Ans. Use boolean filtering in pandas to keep only rows that do not match the deletion condition, then print the resulting DataFrame. The data structure is a pandas DataFrame, and the condition creates a Boolean Series mask. This scans the rows once, so the time complexity is O(n), with extra memory for the mask.
Ans. function Person(){} defines a function, var person = Person() calls it as a normal function, and var person = new Person() calls it as a constructor. A normal call assigns whatever the function returns, often undefined. With new, JavaScript creates a new object, links its prototype to Person.prototype, and binds this to it.
Ans. The output is all immediate console.log lines first, then the 3-second timeout logs, then the nested 2-second timeout logs about 5 seconds after start. The key detail is that the inner timer is created only after the outer callback runs. If var is used, callbacks see the final loop value.
Ans. JavaScript itself has no tags, but five HTML tags commonly used with JavaScript are <script>, <noscript>, <button>, <form>, and <input>. The key point is that only <script> actually loads or contains JavaScript; the others are HTML elements that JavaScript commonly reads, changes, or reacts to.
Ans. Dequeue every element from the queue and push it onto a stack, then pop each element from the stack and enqueue it back into the queue. The stack reverses the order because it is LIFO. This uses one auxiliary stack, takes O(n) time, and uses O(n) extra space.
Ans. React is a JavaScript library, not a full framework. Its main job is building user interfaces from reusable components. Unlike a framework, it does not provide everything by default, such as routing, data fetching, or application structure. Those are usually added with other libraries or tools.
Ans. Exception handling in Java is a mechanism for dealing with runtime errors without abruptly stopping normal program flow. Risky code is placed in a try block, errors are handled in catch blocks, and cleanup goes in finally. Java has checked exceptions, which must be caught or declared, and unchecked exceptions.
Ans. HTTP sends web data in plain text, while HTTPS sends it over an encrypted TLS connection. HTTPS protects confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity, so attackers cannot easily read, change, or impersonate traffic. It also uses certificates to prove the server’s identity. By default, HTTP uses port 80 and HTTPS uses port 443.
Ans. A number is a palindrome if it reads the same forwards and backwards, such as 121. Handle negatives as not palindromes, then reverse only the second half of the digits and compare it with the first half. This avoids string conversion and reduces overflow risk. Time complexity is O(log n), with O(1) space.
Ans. Deadlock is a state where two or more processes are permanently blocked because each is waiting for a resource held by another. The key point is that no process can continue or release its resource, commonly due to mutual exclusion, hold and wait, no pre-emption, and circular wait occurring together.
Ans. Polymorphism in C++ means the same interface can behave differently for different types or objects. It has two main types: compile-time polymorphism, achieved using function overloading, operator overloading and templates, and run-time polymorphism, achieved using inheritance and virtual functions. The key difference is when the function call is resolved.
Ans. Computer networks connect devices so they can exchange data using agreed protocols. The key fundamentals are layered architecture, IP addressing and routing, TCP versus UDP transport, DNS name resolution, and application protocols such as HTTP. The most important idea is encapsulation, where each layer adds its own information and relies on the layer below.
Ans. An operating system manages hardware resources and provides services for programs. The key fundamentals are processes and threads, CPU scheduling, memory management, virtual memory, file systems, I/O management, system calls, concurrency, deadlocks, and protection. The most important idea is abstraction: the OS hides hardware details while sharing resources safely and efficiently.
Ans. Load balancing is distributing incoming requests across multiple servers so no single server becomes overloaded. It is used to improve availability, throughput and response time. The key detail is that a load balancer can route traffic only to healthy instances, which lets the system continue serving users when one server fails.
Ans. Compare each option carefully against the standard spelling you know, focusing on common error points such as double letters, vowel order, silent letters and suffixes. Say the word in parts if useful, but do not rely only on sound. Eliminate clearly wrong forms first, then choose the spelling that looks grammatically and visually correct.
Ans. The TCP/IP model has four layers: application, transport, internet, and network access. The application layer covers protocols such as HTTP and DNS, transport includes TCP and UDP, the internet layer handles IP addressing and routing, and network access covers physical networking and data link details such as Ethernet.
Ans. Look for the pattern between terms, then apply it consistently to get the next term. Check differences, ratios, alternating patterns, squares, cubes, primes, or changes in digits. If one rule does not fit all terms, test a second-layer pattern such as differences of differences. Verify the result against every given term.
Ans. The four pillars of OOP are encapsulation, abstraction, inheritance, and polymorphism. Encapsulation means keeping data and the methods that use it together, while controlling access through modifiers or methods. Inheritance allows a class to reuse and extend behaviour from another class, reducing duplication and supporting specialisation.
Ans. A typical use case for anonymous functions is passing short, one-off behaviour as an argument to another function. They are commonly used as callbacks, such as handling an event, filtering a list, mapping values, or defining a custom sort rule, where naming the function would add little value.
Ans. Scan the string left to right and use a counter for open brackets. Increase it for each opening parenthesis and decrease it for each closing parenthesis. If it ever becomes negative, the string is invalid. At the end, it is valid only if the counter is zero. This takes linear time and constant space.
Ans. self is the conventional name for the current object instance inside a Python instance method. It lets the method read or change instance attributes and call other instance methods. Python passes it automatically when you call a method on an object, but it must be declared explicitly as the first parameter.
Ans. Object-oriented programming organises software around objects that combine data and behaviour. Its main principles are encapsulation, which hides internal state; abstraction, which exposes only essential operations; inheritance, which reuses and extends behaviour; and polymorphism, which lets different types be used through a common interface. The key benefit is modular, maintainable code.
Ans. Start by checking the sequence or numbers for simple operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squares, cubes, or alternating patterns. Work step by step and test whether the same rule fits all terms. For arithmetic problems, translate the wording into equations, calculate carefully, and estimate first to catch obvious errors.
Ans. Constructors are special member functions in C++ that initialise an object when it is created. They have the same name as the class and no return type. Main types include default constructors, parameterised constructors, copy constructors, and move constructors. Constructors can also be overloaded, and destructors handle cleanup later.
Ans. Identify the word before the blank and the relationship needed after it. Check whether it is a fixed phrase, such as interested in, good at, afraid of, or depend on. Then test the sentence for meaning, such as place, time, cause, direction, or association. Eliminate options that sound grammatically unnatural.
Ans. Abstraction is the OOP principle of hiding implementation details and exposing only essential behaviour, while an interface is a concrete contract that declares what methods a class must provide. The key difference is that abstraction is a design idea, and an interface is one common mechanism for enforcing it.
Ans. Three common approaches are using two pointers, using a stack, or building a new string from the end. Two pointers swap characters from both ends in place if the string is mutable. A stack reverses by last in, first out order. Scanning backwards appends characters to a result. All take O(n) time.
Ans. The static keyword means a member belongs to the class rather than to individual objects. A static field is shared by all instances, and a static method can be called without creating an object. The key detail is that static methods cannot directly access instance fields or methods because they have no specific object context.
Ans. An array stores elements in contiguous memory and supports fast index access, while a linked list stores elements as nodes connected by pointers and is efficient for insertions or deletions when the position is known. Arrays are usually better for searching by index and cache performance. Linked lists use extra memory for pointers.
Ans. I prefer Python because it lets me solve problems quickly with clear, readable code. Its standard library and ecosystem are strong, so I can build scripts, APIs, data tools, and automation without much boilerplate. I also value that Python is easy to maintain and widely understood by teams.
Ans. PEP 8 is the official Python style guide, defining conventions for formatting code, naming variables, writing imports, spacing, comments and overall structure. It is important because consistent style makes Python code easier to read, review, maintain and share across teams, especially in large projects where many developers contribute.
Ans. Identify the condition and the result, then match the tense pattern. Use zero conditional for facts, first conditional for real future possibilities, second conditional for unlikely or imaginary present situations, and third conditional for unreal past situations. Check markers like if, unless, would, will, had, and past participles.
Ans. Pick a current, balanced view of India’s startup ecosystem, not a memorised speech. Emphasise growth drivers such as digital public infrastructure, funding, talent, and rising consumer markets, while acknowledging challenges like profitability, regulation, and access beyond metros. Interviewers listen for awareness, structure, realism, and your ability to connect startups with economic impact.
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Candidate interviews most often cover CS fundamentals (67%) and DSA (15%).
Candidate interviews show an average of 2.9 rounds per experience, with a typical sequence of Online test → Group discussion → Technical → HR. Individual interview paths can vary.
Among questions with a recorded difficulty, the mix is easy 69%, medium 31%, hard 0%.
